I have to brag a little on my oldest son. I know I talk about my boys a lot. J I had parent teacher conference today and we had such a good conference. My son has missed a lot of school this last semester because he was sick so much. He missed two full weeks at one point and then a few random days in between. We worked hard on his homework at home so he could stay caught up. I was still a little worried about his grades just because missing that much school isn’t good and easy to fall behind. Thankfully, he made all A’s and a couple B’s. I was so proud of him. He is my calmer more polite child and his teacher made it a point to brag on him. He told me what a good student he was and how polite he is in class. He is always the first one to volunteer to help the teacher or do work on the board in front of the class. He has always had such a big heart and so kind to be around. I am glad he carries that with him in school. Both of my boys are going to grow up to be wonderful men someday. I couldn’t be more honored to call them my sons. I am such a lucky mom.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Ways to Save Money
A couple of semester’s ago I took a Personal Finance class that really taught me a lot and crazy enough how to save money. It is really hard right now being a full-time student but I thought I would write about some interesting ways to save money. It is amazing how the little things truly do add up to more than you would think. One book we had to read was The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach. I had never read a book like this until this class and I ended up loving it. This book has some really great ideas and really taught me that it is hard to make excuses even if you are “broke”. I never really realized how much money we did spend on extra stuff. I always complained of not having any money. It was all the little things that we don’t think about that add up. I encourage you to read this book if you already haven’t. It’s great!
One thing that has stuck with me is the Latte Factor. I am sure several people have already heard of this but this was a first for me. It is based on the idea that all you need to do to finish rich is to look at the small things you spend your money on every day and see whether you can redirect that spending and pay yourself first. Putting aside as little as a few dollars a day for the future rather than spending it on little purchases such as lattes, fast food, cigarettes, and other things that are not a necessity can really make a difference between accumulating wealth and living paycheck to paycheck. So many of us do not even realize how much we actually spend on these little purchases. It is as easy as changing little habits that could change our life.
I found a website that also gave 30 easy ways to save money that I thought I would share: http://www.dumblittleman.com/2008/01/30-easy-ways-to-save-money-and-no-you.html
1. Cook at home often
2. Make your own coffee
3. Brown bag lunch at least a few days a week
4. Make a list before grocery shopping
5. Go grocery shopping while you are in a hurry
6. Watch out for expiration dates on perishable goods
7. Buy in bulk whenever possible
8. Buy generic products whenever possible
9. Use grocery store bags to line trash cans
10. Consolidate and pay off debt as soon as possible
11. Pay your bills on time and avoid late fees
12. Be aware of your bank balance and avoid overdraft fees
13. Avoid ATM fees
14. Avoid credit cards with annual fees
15. Disconnect land line if possible
16. Instead of buying books, rent them from the library
17. If possible, buy a used book if you have to buy one
18. Price check before buying anything expensive
19. Avoid impulse buying
20. Bottle your own water
21. Avoid vending machines
22. Keep your car as long as possible
23. Do regular scheduled maintenance on vehicles
24. Avoid buying a new car
25. Ride your bike or carpool whenever possible
26. If you watch a lot of DVDs, get an online DVD store membership
27. If you enjoy to watch movies at the theater, go before 6:00pm
28. Regulate your electric use
29. Plan vacations ahead of time
30. Keep distance from high-roller friends J
I know many of these are things we all already knew but probably have a hard time sticking by them. I do think every little thing you can do to pinch pennies will help and make for a better future financially.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Westboro Baptist Church
The Westboro Baptist Church has protested several
funerals of troops killed serving our country. It is disgusting! I live in
Monett. I am not sure how many of you
watch the news or keep up with it, but there was recently a soldier that was
killed from Monett, Christopher Stark. He graduated high school in 2007. These people from Westboro Baptist Church have threatened to be here
Saturday for the funeral. It has been
all over our news and papers. There are
supposed to be hundreds of National Guard members waving their American flag lined
up down the highway from where the funeral is going to be. I know that this is a free country so we can
only put limits on how close they can protest, but this is absolutely horrible. These families are trying to mourn their loss
and have to deal with this cult picketing across the street.
funerals of troops killed serving our country. It is disgusting! I live in
Monett. I am not sure how many of you
watch the news or keep up with it, but there was recently a soldier that was
killed from Monett, Christopher Stark. He graduated high school in 2007. These people from Westboro Baptist Church have threatened to be here
Saturday for the funeral. It has been
all over our news and papers. There are
supposed to be hundreds of National Guard members waving their American flag lined
up down the highway from where the funeral is going to be. I know that this is a free country so we can
only put limits on how close they can protest, but this is absolutely horrible. These families are trying to mourn their loss
and have to deal with this cult picketing across the street.
They are based out of Topeka, Kansas. They are a very homophobic, anti-Semitic hate
group that stages protests around the country. The group pickets individuals and institutions they think support
homosexuality. Other targets have been
schools or groups that appear to be accepting of homosexuality such as Catholics
(which is my religion), Lutheran, and other Christian denominations that this
church feels are heretical. They picket
at funerals for American soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, a tactic the
group started in 2005. The group’s
specific focus seems to shift from time to time however; they believe that
nearly all Americans and American institutions are “sinful”. Anybody can be targeted from this group.
group that stages protests around the country. The group pickets individuals and institutions they think support
homosexuality. Other targets have been
schools or groups that appear to be accepting of homosexuality such as Catholics
(which is my religion), Lutheran, and other Christian denominations that this
church feels are heretical. They picket
at funerals for American soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, a tactic the
group started in 2005. The group’s
specific focus seems to shift from time to time however; they believe that
nearly all Americans and American institutions are “sinful”. Anybody can be targeted from this group.
I just found out that the visitation for this young man
that served our country is tonight at 6:00 and the protestors are supposedly
already in our town. A lady that runs a
funeral home in town posted on Facebook that they are here and plan to picket
both tonight and tomorrow. She wanted to
post to everyone so they could bring their American flag and stand up for what
is right. She is meeting with patriot
guards before the visitation. This is so
horribly sad. I feel awful for this poor
family. I cannot imagine what makes
these protestors think this is ok! I
wish we could live in a world where nothing like this exists. I do not understand why we cannot just live
in peace. I am a firm believer in you do
what makes you, you and what you feel in your heart is what is best for you
regardless of what anyone thinks. It shouldn’t
matter if you’re gay, have more than one wife, had an abortion, or what. You are still a person and still an
American. People need to learn to have a
heart and leave people alone. Worry
about yourself. I am sorry but this
topic gets me so riled up. I am married
to a wonderful man and have two boys of my own and I am a far cry from judgmental! These people that are picketing from Westboro
Church make me sick.
that served our country is tonight at 6:00 and the protestors are supposedly
already in our town. A lady that runs a
funeral home in town posted on Facebook that they are here and plan to picket
both tonight and tomorrow. She wanted to
post to everyone so they could bring their American flag and stand up for what
is right. She is meeting with patriot
guards before the visitation. This is so
horribly sad. I feel awful for this poor
family. I cannot imagine what makes
these protestors think this is ok! I
wish we could live in a world where nothing like this exists. I do not understand why we cannot just live
in peace. I am a firm believer in you do
what makes you, you and what you feel in your heart is what is best for you
regardless of what anyone thinks. It shouldn’t
matter if you’re gay, have more than one wife, had an abortion, or what. You are still a person and still an
American. People need to learn to have a
heart and leave people alone. Worry
about yourself. I am sorry but this
topic gets me so riled up. I am married
to a wonderful man and have two boys of my own and I am a far cry from judgmental! These people that are picketing from Westboro
Church make me sick.
My baby is going to kindergarten...
Last week I wrote about private schools vs. public
schools. I was having a hard time trying
to figure out if my younger son, Evan, would go to the same private school as
his older brother, Conner. After
weighing all the options, we decided to send him to the public school. I will have one in the private school and one
in public school. This should be
interesting! Conner’s school only goes
to the 6th grade so he will eventually be in the public school
system also. He only has 4 years left at
St. Lawrence. It is a great school, just
too expensive to try to send both the boys there right now. Times are hard enough right now with me a
student full-time and only one income. It
is sad that it mostly had to do with finances. I do know that he will get a great education in the public school
district as well.
schools. I was having a hard time trying
to figure out if my younger son, Evan, would go to the same private school as
his older brother, Conner. After
weighing all the options, we decided to send him to the public school. I will have one in the private school and one
in public school. This should be
interesting! Conner’s school only goes
to the 6th grade so he will eventually be in the public school
system also. He only has 4 years left at
St. Lawrence. It is a great school, just
too expensive to try to send both the boys there right now. Times are hard enough right now with me a
student full-time and only one income. It
is sad that it mostly had to do with finances. I do know that he will get a great education in the public school
district as well.
Now, I am able to focus on the fact that my baby is going
to start kindergarten next fall. It is
almost a bitter sweet for me. I am happy,
as a mother, I will get my days to go to school or work or whatever I need to
do and not have to worry about daycare, but I am also sad that this is just the
beginning for him. Both of my boys will
now be in school every year until they graduate college. It is amazing how fast they grow up. People do say to cherish them while they are
little because time flies and they will be grown before you know it. Every time I turn around one of them is having
a birthday and one year older. I will
try to gain control of myself before his first day of school. I don’t want to embarrass the poor little guy
by being the crazy mom crying because she is sending her baby to kindergarten. J I was that crazy mother with my oldest! I think most of us are very emotional. Kindergarten is a big deal for these little
guys/girls! I guess lucky for all of you
this class will be over so you won’t have to hear me blog about it. Ha ha!
to start kindergarten next fall. It is
almost a bitter sweet for me. I am happy,
as a mother, I will get my days to go to school or work or whatever I need to
do and not have to worry about daycare, but I am also sad that this is just the
beginning for him. Both of my boys will
now be in school every year until they graduate college. It is amazing how fast they grow up. People do say to cherish them while they are
little because time flies and they will be grown before you know it. Every time I turn around one of them is having
a birthday and one year older. I will
try to gain control of myself before his first day of school. I don’t want to embarrass the poor little guy
by being the crazy mom crying because she is sending her baby to kindergarten. J I was that crazy mother with my oldest! I think most of us are very emotional. Kindergarten is a big deal for these little
guys/girls! I guess lucky for all of you
this class will be over so you won’t have to hear me blog about it. Ha ha!
Friday, March 4, 2011
Gas Prices
Gas prices
are beginning to be a big concern for many people. We recently purchased a new car. We really wanted to get a SUV but with gas
prices on the rise and only one income in our household we were scared gas
would kill us. Gas prices rise so
gradually so it’s hard to perceive the change in everyday lifestyle. We ended up purchasing a smaller car
instead. I see more and more people
going to cars or smaller SUV’s for the simple fact that gas is getting
ridiculous.
are beginning to be a big concern for many people. We recently purchased a new car. We really wanted to get a SUV but with gas
prices on the rise and only one income in our household we were scared gas
would kill us. Gas prices rise so
gradually so it’s hard to perceive the change in everyday lifestyle. We ended up purchasing a smaller car
instead. I see more and more people
going to cars or smaller SUV’s for the simple fact that gas is getting
ridiculous.
The rising
gas prices are already cutting into America’s spending money. The prices have caused one in three U.S.
consumers to significantly alter and reduce their spending. According to the RBC Consumer Outlook Index,
the average price for gasoline is $3.20 per gallon nationally, 18 % of
consumers say they will decrease their spending if gas prices rise to $3.75 or
over. The price of oil is poised for
another run at $100 or more a barrel. This could easily push our gasoline to $4 a gallon in some parts of the
country this summer. Some are saying as high as $5 a gallon by 2012. http://gantdaily.com/2011/03/04/rising-gas-prices-cutting-into-americans-spending-money/. This
could cause some major travel problems this summer for those people that want
to travel for vacation. My family and I
are planning to drive to Tybee Island and are already nervous that gas prices
may be more than we have budgeted for. The
United States is the world’s largest oil consumer. The recent situation that continues to heat up
in Libya and Iran is used by the oil speculators to keep the price of oil
rising. The economic growth is still
fragile so the crisis will continue to affect the world economy. It is going to make it more difficult for
people to commute to and from work. It
will also cost companies more to transport their products, send mail, and get
supplies. The increase in transportation
costs and needed resources will affect the consumer and their income loss for
basic necessities. The faster our country can develop alternative sources of
fuel that are cost effective, the more likely the price of oil will not affect
our economy. A stable economy will mean a better chance of
growth.
Public Schools vs Private Schools
My oldest son is 9 years old and in the 3rd
grade. He has attended a private school
since he was in preschool. I love the
school, but like most there are some concerns I do have. My 5 year old will be starting kindergarten
next year so I have been debating on sending him to the school my oldest son
goes to or sending him to the public school. These young years are the most impressionable on a child. For me personally it is a huge decision. My oldest son absolutely loves his school and
does really well. I think this is
probably a common question most parents ask themselves, especially when you
have had your only child in school attend a private school. He goes to a Catholic school. It is very important to me that my youngest
be able to share in the same experiences as my oldest child has, such as his
first communion and first confession with his class, etc. However, the biggest dilemma I am dealing
with is the funding. Private schools are
funded by student tuition that add up to a substantial amount more than a
public school. It has been a struggle to send my oldest son
to this school with me being a stay at home mom going to school full-time. I feel like my son gets the one on one he
needs in his school and his younger brother will probably need that special
attention even more than he did. My
youngest is very stubborn and much more outgoing than my oldest; therefore I
think this school would be really good for him. On the flip side, I also feel like my oldest son has missed out on some
of the experiences the public school has, such as sports, band, etc. Education is so important to me but so is
their social involvement. I have never
had a child in the public school system so I would really love some feedback on
this topic.:) My sister has three kids,
one of which she also sent to St. Lawrence, and she has told me more times than
one that she personally has enjoyed the public school better than when she sent
her oldest to the private school. I know
that for a majority of the population public schools would be the school of
choice. The reason private schools are
so much more expensive is because they give the students more access to the
most advanced educational tools they can provide. A lot of times private schools have higher
graduate requirements to prepare the student for opportunities in the
future. The private school here in
Monett, however, only goes to the 6th grade so he will eventually
end up in the public school system. The
financial part of sending my second son is what weighs the highest on my
mind. I am a college student and will
graduate next year so not only would I have tuition bills for two kids; I will
also have student loans to pay back. This scares me! When I had my
first child I did not intend on having a second or I would have thought of this
a long time ago. This decision is big to
me and I desperately need some input. Thanks
for all the great advice. I really do
love being able to post about issues that are important to me and get feedback
from everyone.
grade. He has attended a private school
since he was in preschool. I love the
school, but like most there are some concerns I do have. My 5 year old will be starting kindergarten
next year so I have been debating on sending him to the school my oldest son
goes to or sending him to the public school. These young years are the most impressionable on a child. For me personally it is a huge decision. My oldest son absolutely loves his school and
does really well. I think this is
probably a common question most parents ask themselves, especially when you
have had your only child in school attend a private school. He goes to a Catholic school. It is very important to me that my youngest
be able to share in the same experiences as my oldest child has, such as his
first communion and first confession with his class, etc. However, the biggest dilemma I am dealing
with is the funding. Private schools are
funded by student tuition that add up to a substantial amount more than a
public school. It has been a struggle to send my oldest son
to this school with me being a stay at home mom going to school full-time. I feel like my son gets the one on one he
needs in his school and his younger brother will probably need that special
attention even more than he did. My
youngest is very stubborn and much more outgoing than my oldest; therefore I
think this school would be really good for him. On the flip side, I also feel like my oldest son has missed out on some
of the experiences the public school has, such as sports, band, etc. Education is so important to me but so is
their social involvement. I have never
had a child in the public school system so I would really love some feedback on
this topic.:) My sister has three kids,
one of which she also sent to St. Lawrence, and she has told me more times than
one that she personally has enjoyed the public school better than when she sent
her oldest to the private school. I know
that for a majority of the population public schools would be the school of
choice. The reason private schools are
so much more expensive is because they give the students more access to the
most advanced educational tools they can provide. A lot of times private schools have higher
graduate requirements to prepare the student for opportunities in the
future. The private school here in
Monett, however, only goes to the 6th grade so he will eventually
end up in the public school system. The
financial part of sending my second son is what weighs the highest on my
mind. I am a college student and will
graduate next year so not only would I have tuition bills for two kids; I will
also have student loans to pay back. This scares me! When I had my
first child I did not intend on having a second or I would have thought of this
a long time ago. This decision is big to
me and I desperately need some input. Thanks
for all the great advice. I really do
love being able to post about issues that are important to me and get feedback
from everyone.
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